Map 3

Snowy Mtns HWY to Henry Angel Trackhead

Suspension bridge over the Tumut River

From the Snowy Mountains Highway the track is signposted via quiet roads south of Tumut until reaching Blowering Campsite on the northern end of the the Blowering Reservoir. From here, it’s 9.4km along single track to Browns Creek Campsite along to the western shore of the reservoir.

Beyond Browns Creek Campsite, the walking track continues along forestry foreshore firetrails of Blowering Reservoir. Camping is not permitted in the pines, but there are a number of excellent campsites between the road and the water. Most have grassed areas, excellent shade trees, picnic tables and toilets.

At the southern end of the reservoir, the track climbs Gurkeroo Ridge and passes through Benjamin Smith Campsite before reaching the water of Jounama Pondage. The track continues through open farmland to the west of the reservoir for a couple more kilometres across open country towards the densely wooded base of a climb that leads into Kosciuszko National Park. The park boundary is approximately 500m in from the fenceline and the track heads towards Buddong Creek and eventually Buddong Falls.

Approximately 5km after entering the forest is the Buddong Falls Picnic Area requiring a tough 300 metre climb. A short side track, on the right, can be used to access the Lower Buddong Falls.

Buddong Falls

After crossing Buddong Road, the track continues to follow Buddong Creek upstream on a short length of single track through some dense eucalypt forest before emerging on firetrail and crossing it again at Buddong Hut. The track continues to Paddys River Dam Campsite, mostly on single track, which is about 14km from the Buddong Falls Picnic Area.

From the dam the next 15km of the track is on, or close to, the old water race. The more open areas around Paddys River Dam and Coffee Pot are a favoured haunt for brumbies, and the area supports a large and diverse bird population.

When Middle Ridge Road and West Burra Creek are reached, you exit the Bago State Forest and enter private pine plantations and later on, grazing lands. evidence of extensive mining operations (gold and tin) will be seen as the creek is followed.

Junction Campsite, at the junction of east and West Burra Creeks, is 22km from Paddys River Dam Campsite. It’s another 6.5km, through areas worked and reworked for gold and tin, to reach the Henry Angel Trackhead which is on Tooma Road, 8.6km from Tumbarumba and the gateway to the next section on Map 4.